Four Players With Local Ties Assigned to Dorados

Published on March 17, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release


HIDALGO, TX: March 17, 2004 – The Rio Grande Valley Dorados of arenafootball2 (af2) were assigned offensive/defensive linemen Mike Clay, Danny Perez, Ron Pierce and Diego Saenz to their inaugural 2004 squad by the af2 offices.

Clay was the top recruited linebacker out of the state of Texas in 1998 after being named to the Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine Super Team and completing a solid high school career at Houston Nimitz High School. He went to the University of Missouri for his freshman season and then transferred to Texas A&M University - Kingsville (TAMUK). The 6'3" 275-pound lineman played three seasons at TAMUK and his senior season (2002) was full of accolades. Clay was awarded as an AFCA All-American, Associated Press Little All-American First Team defensive lineman, D2Football.com First Team All-American, The Football Gazette All-West Region Second Team defensive lineman, D2Football.com All-West Region First Team and Lone Star Conference First Team and Defensive Lineman of the Year honors. The 24 year-old also played in the 2002 Cactus Bowl, which is a prospects showcase game held every year in Kingsville, Texas.

Pierce and Saenz (synz) are also products of TAMUK. Pierce lettered with the Javelinas in 1996 and 1997. The Sunnyvale, California native is 6'3" and weighs 300-pounds. He grew up in the San Jose area and after completing his prep career at Cupertino High School, he served as a student-athlete at De Anza College (Cupertino, CA) for two seasons prior to transferring to TAMUK. In 1999, 27 year-old signed a contract to play in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders. Saenz was on the offensive line with TAMUK for three seasons (2001 - 2003). He is a 6'4" 310-pound native of Mission, Texas and played at Mission High School. The 21 year-old was named as an honorable mention selection on the Lone Star Conference's South Division Team.

Perez not only teaches football but will now play football. Originally born in Mexico, Perez currently resides in Elsa, Texas and serves as the varsity football defensive line coach and track coach at Elsa-Edcouch High School and also works in the classroom as a Spanish teacher. The 6'3" 280-pound 34 year-old brings collegiate playing experience from Howard Payne University, where he played four seasons.

These four players place the Dorados with 26 announced players on their roster, joining Tracy Archer (WR/LB), Marcus Bradley (def. specialist), Gary Briggs (WR/DB) Will Burch (QB), Spencer Conley (OL./DL), Tim Cook (OL/DL), Nick Davis (def. specialist), Kevin De Los Santos (OL/DL), Michael Duncan (WR/DB), Rico Gardner (WR/LB), Abel Gonzalez (QB) Preston Hartfield (WR/DB), Eric Houle (K), Raymond James (OL/DL), Herman Lovett (FB/LB), Brent McDonald (FB/LB), Jason Null (FB/LB), Manwell Talbert (WR/LB), Anthony Terrell (WR/DB), Karleton Thomas (OL/DL), Donte Wells (WR/DB) and Brent Withers (def. specialist). Media members seeking interviews with Coach Gussman or any of the assigned players are encouraged to contact Chris Due with the Dorados at 956-843-5656.

Dorados Training Camp opens up Thursday morning at Hidalgo High School. Individual and season tickets are currently on sale and may be purchased by stopping by the Dodge Arena offices (2600 N. 10th St. in Hidalgo, Tx) or contacting them by phone at 956-843-7825. The Dorados kick-off their inaugural campaign April 3rd against the Laredo Law. Additional ticket information and corporate opportunities are available by contacting the Dorados offices at 956-843-7825 or visit the Dorados online at www.doradosfootball.com.

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